Title
Consider and take action on a resolution regarding the application of CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., Texas Coast Division, to increase rates under the gas reliability infrastructure program; suspending CenterPoint’s proposed effective date for forty-five days; authorizing the city’s continued participation in a coalition of cities known as the "Alliance of CenterPoint Municipalities-TCUC"; determining that the meeting at which the resolution was adopted complied with the Texas Open meetings Act; making such other findings and provisions related to the subject; and declaring an effective date (City Attorney)
Background:
ALLIANCE OF CENTERPOINT MUNICIPALITIES
The City is a member of the Texas Coast Utilities Coalition (“TCUC”) of cities. TCUC was organized by a number of municipalities served by CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., Texas Coast Division (“CenterPoint”) and has been represented by the law firm of Herrera Law & Associates, PLLC (through Mr. Alfred R. Herrera) to assist in reviewing applications to change rates submitted by CenterPoint.
In CenterPoint’s immediately preceding general rate case, CenterPoint consolidated its four service divisions - the Beaumont/East Texas Division; the South Texas Division; the Houston Division; and the Texas Coast Division - into a single division to which CenterPoint refers as the “Texas Division.” The City intervened in the proceeding at the Railroad Commission as part of the broader Alliance of CenterPoint Municipalities (ACM). ACM is comprised of cities represented by the law firm of Herrera Law & Associates, including the ACM-TCUC cities, served by CenterPoint in what were its prior four divisions, and now consolidated into a single division.
“GRIP” RATE APPLICATION
Under section 104.301 of the Gas Utility Regulatory Act (“GURA”), a gas utility is allowed to request increases in its rates to recover a return on investments it makes between rate cases. This section of GURA is commonly referred ...
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